Senior Attorney: Legal Services
3 days ago
Henderson
Senior Attorney – Legal Services Academica • Full-Time, Exempt • Nevada About Academica Academica is one of the nation’s leading education service organizations, providing management and operational support services to public charter schools across the western United States. Our Nevada schools serve thousands of students and families, and the legal landscape of public charter school operations requires consistent, knowledgeable support. We are seeking an experienced attorney to join our team as the Senior Attorney - Legal Services for our Nevada operations. Position Overview The Senior Attorney - Legal Services is Academica’s internal legal resource for our Nevada operations, providing guidance and support across a broad range of legal and compliance matters. This role works closely with the Managing Director, school leadership, HR, and finance to ensure that Academica’s operations, policies, and organizational decisions are legally sound. Each charter school’s governing board retains its own independent, third-party legal counsel for school-specific legal representation. The Senior Attorney - Legal Services works alongside those firms as Academica’s point of contact, coordinating with school board counsel when matters require their involvement and providing schools with practical legal guidance and resources as part of Academica’s broader service model. The right candidate understands this collaborative structure and is comfortable knowing when to engage school board counsel and when to handle matters on Academica’s behalf. Key ResponsibilitiesEducation Law & Regulatory Compliance • Monitor and interpret Nevada and federal legislation affecting charter school operations, and communicate implications to school leaders and Academica management, • Advise the Managing Director and Academica leadership on education law, charter school policy, and compliance requirements, • Support schools in understanding their regulatory obligations, ensuring Academica’s service delivery aligns with applicable law, • Coordinate with school board counsel and regulatory bodies as needed on charter renewals, amendments, or compliance matters Litigation & Legal Coordination • Manage legal matters involving Academica Nevada directly, including coordinating with outside counsel retained by Academica when specialized expertise or representation is required, • Serve as Academica’s point of coordination with school board counsel when disputes or proceedings involve both the school and Academica’s operations, • Maintain awareness of active legal matters across Nevada schools and flag issues with potential organizational impact to the Managing Director Student Due Process & Special Education • Provide schools and Academica staff with guidance and resources related to student discipline, due process procedures, and compliance obligations, • Advise on special education compliance requirements under IDEA, Section 504, and applicable Nevada law as they relate to Academica’s operational role, • Coordinate with school board counsel on due process hearings, complaints, and appeals that require legal representation Employment Law & Workers’ Compensation • Serve as Academica’s internal legal resource on employment matters, including HR policy compliance, investigations, terminations, and employment agreements, • Manage workers’ compensation matters in coordination with HR and third-party administrators, • Advise on Nevada labor law, FMLA, ADA accommodations, and related employment issues affecting Academica personnel, • Support HR in drafting and reviewing employment policies, handbooks, and internal agreements Board Governance Support • Serve as a resource for school leaders navigating governance questions, and facilitate engagement with school board counsel when formal legal guidance is needed, • Provide schools and Academica staff with resources and training on charter school governance requirements, open meeting law, and board responsibilities, • Review board policies and governance documents from an Academica operational perspective Entity Creation & Contracts • Oversee the creation, structuring, and maintenance of legal entities associated with Academica’s Nevada operations, • Draft, review, and negotiate contracts on behalf of Academica with vendors, service providers, landlords, and other third parties, • Maintain corporate records and ensure compliance with state filings and reporting requirements for Academica entities Organizational Legal Leadership • Serve as a trusted advisor to the Managing Director on legal, risk management, and organizational matters, • Develop and implement internal policies and procedures to proactively manage legal and compliance risk across Nevada operations, • Stay current on developments in education law, charter school policy, employment law, and Nevada legislation, • Build and maintain strong working relationships with school board legal counsel across the Nevada portfolio QualificationsRequired • J.D. from an accredited law school, • Active Nevada State Bar license in good standing (or ability to obtain Nevada licensure promptly), • Minimum 5 years of legal practice, with meaningful experience in education law, public agencies, employment law, or a closely related field, • Demonstrated ability to advise organizations on legal risk and compliance across multiple concurrent matters, • Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain legal issues clearly to non-attorney audiences, • Collaborative working style with experience coordinating across internal teams and external legal counsel Preferred • Direct experience with charter school law, governance, or operations, • Familiarity with Nevada education legislation and state regulatory agencies, including the State Public Charter School Authority, • Experience with student due process, special education law, or school discipline matters, • Experience with entity formation, corporate governance, and commercial contract negotiation, • Prior in-house or organizational counsel experience, • Experience working in or alongside a multi-site education organization Compensation & Benefits Academica offers a competitive, market-aligned compensation package for this role. The following reflects current market data for in-house attorney positions with comparable scope and responsibility in the Nevada market. Component : Range / Details Base Salary: $165,000 – $175,000 annually (DOE) Performance Bonus: Eligible for annual performance-based bonus Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision insurance Retirement: 401(k) with employer contribution PTO: Generous paid time off and paid holidays Professional Development: Bar dues, CLE, and professional memberships covered Work Environment & Location This is a full-time, in-person position based in Nevada. The Senior Attorney - Legal Services works closely with school leadership, Academica operational staff, and school board legal counsel across multiple school sites. Some travel within Nevada is expected. Occasional travel to other Academica regions may be required. Academica is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.